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The greatest show in Illinois

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* The Pantagraph had one of the best analyses of the Rep. Mike Bost tirade this week.

Unlike most news outlets, the editorial page reported that Bost voted for the very House rules that he complained had been “forced down our throats.” The paper also admitted the obvious that House Speaker Michael Madigan has too much control over the chamber and criticized Republicans for their stance against the cost-shifting plan that would gradually put more responsibility for pension costs in the hands of local school boards. Here’s the end…

The ultimate solution is for Republicans to win more elections and become more of a force in the General Assembly. Until that happens, outbursts may garner some attention, but won’t have any real effect.

The ultimate cure for the woes of being in the minority is more members. Also, if the Republicans had nominated a more electable candidate in 2010 (and they didn’t need much in a year like that), then they would’ve had a legit shot at drawing the new district map.

* Also missed in the coverage is that Rep. Bost is a Republican floor leader. It’s his job to create trouble during debate. If you watch the video closely, you won’t see Republicans around him jumping up and down with anger like Bost was. They sit quietly during the show. And that’s what it was. A show. But what a show it was. When pressed, Bost refused to back down…

A day after the episode, state Rep. Edward Acevedo, D-Chicago, called for decorum to be restored to the House.

“Folks. Enough is enough,” Acevedo said.

Bost would not apologize. “My job is to represent my people. The people I represent in the 115th District have been slapped enough. I do not apologize for saying or raising my voice.”

Slapped? Really?

Meh.

* Like the late Rep. Zeke Giorgi always used to say when things got out of hand in the House: “It’s the greatest show in Illinois.” Sneed…

A GOP source tells Sneed the Bost rant was rehearsed and based on the antics of another retired Southern Illinoisan: former Senate GOP Leader Frank Watson (R-Greenville), who tossed a red faced diatribe a few years ago. Both men are pals and once threw hundreds of unstapled pages of bills up in the air while screaming at the opposing party. Rumor has it Bost even weighed the bill in his office and practiced punching it!”

* And it still is a show. David Letterman showcased the outburst this week…

* Bost has appeared on several national news programs since his tirade. And there have been more than a few tribute videos made. Here’s my favorite. “Mike Bost is Furious for SPARTA!!!…

* And wannabe YouTube star HeyLovellie had a weird little take…

Discuss.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 9:03 am

Comments

Its obvious where you stand

Comment by thunder Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 9:10 am
Bost does not hold a candle to Bill Black.

The Pantagraph comes close, but fails, to mention the 1995 rules were developed during the Lee Daniels raign of terror and of course Lee got the rules from beloved Pantagraph figure Pate Philip.
They also did not mention that the effort to stop paying for non state worker pensions was actively discussed in the pension working group for months and the topic of hours of pain staking talks with the unions and public employers.
Most importantly community colleges and universities have AGREED to end the practice of sticking the state with the pensions based salaries and benefit hikes they negotiate. The phase in….6/10ths of 1 per cent of payroll for an estimated 17 years.
Remember non state worker pension costs consume 70+% of the $8.0 billion Illinois spends for pensions every year.
If you would like to see more for actual education, mental health, public safety, distributions to cities-parks, etc. sign up now!

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 9:14 am
===The ultimate solution is for Republicans to win more elections and become more of a force in the General Assembly. Until that happens, outbursts may garner some attention, but won’t have any real effect.===

I have never thought of that as a solution. To blame the HGOP for the places they find themselves over and over is a bit of a stretch, and I am shocked that calling out the HGOP, the HGOP Leadership, and being “campaign inept” is something I would never do.

Sincerely,

Oswego Willy

p.s. - Nice move telling the press and especially Sneed this was all rehearsed.

Me Thinks it makes the HGOP look like “clowns”, as in actors who really have no roll in this General Assembly except for comic relief.

Don’t worry, a Press Release will come out shifting the focus back on Rep. Smith and him shaking down a Nursing Home, er, Hospital Outpatient Center, …whatever.

If the HGOP Caucus gets more inept, and gets smaller, Cross can finally have Caucus on the golf course like he has always wanted.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 9:15 am
i love the mid-morning hate rants from Oswego Willy. Absent facts, ignorant of history and devoid of any constructive thoughts or critique. Just 100% pure hate. Awesome.

Comment by Easy Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 9:29 am
Pantagraph is right on. No one likes a crybaby. Republicans will keep losing ground in Illinois until they find some officials who refuse to tolerate screaming children.

Comment by just sayin' Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 9:30 am
–A GOP source tells Sneed the Bost rant was rehearsed–

Then he has no excuse for completely whiffing on the papers.

Comment by Ahoy! Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 9:32 am
Where is John Knuppel when you need him?

Comment by One of the 35 Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 9:33 am
I’m certain it was planned. I spoke with Bost a couple weeks ago, and he made that much pretty clear.

Theatrics. I like Bost, but this was absurd.

Comment by Regular Reader Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 9:37 am
Two last points …

===Also, if the Republicans had nominated a more electable candidate in 2010 (and they didn’t need much in a year like that), then they would’ve had a legit shot at drawing the new district map. ===

Agreed. But to leave it at the step of Brady, without focusing on the GOTV and the inept last 2 weeks or so of that campaign is also unfair. That campaign (staff), and elected officals were going back and forth to Bloomington, measuring drapes, and ignoring a ground game to “finish” the campaign. To just blame Brady, and solely Brady, for … being Brady is about 70% true, but Bill Brady is not alone in that, and that was as much of a “Campaign” loss then a “Candidate” loss.

Also,

===* Also missed in the coverage is that Rep. Bost is a Republican floor leader. It’s his job to create trouble during debate. If you watch the video closely, you won’t see Republicans around him jumping up and down with anger like Bost was. They sit quietly during the show. And that’s what it was. A show. But what a show it was.===

I get that, and heck, I could not be a bigger fan of Bill Black than I was during his glorious run. However, Bost taking on this role, and then going on Chicago TV and saying this was rehearsed (Fox Chicago) and in Sneed a “source” descibes the “act”, its like the Wizard of Oz being exposed. We know what it is, so why go down the road and admit it all was a rehearsed act. Why? Let the “performance” speak for itself.

I ask again, is Bost’s new role impacting how we see Mike Bost as a legislator, and is that a good thing … and should Have Mike Bost taken this role on, given how he is seen by his collegues? Is Bost looked differently by memebers, and is that “looking” seen in a good light?

Just wanted to make those points to clarify some thoughts.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 9:38 am
===i love the mid-morning hate rants from Oswego Willy. Absent facts, ignorant of history and devoid of any constructive thoughts or critique. Just 100% pure hate. Awesome.===

If you love being in the minority? Then I guess my thoughts seem like, what is it … “pure hate”? I guess everyone who is also tired of the Cross led HGOP being “bit” players also has … what was it … “pure hate”?

Next thing you will say is “well, the map is against so, so now what do we do?”

Good luck with that …

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 9:42 am
Correct me if I’m wrong on this: the Bost tirade was sparked by the Dems not allowing the GOP to attach an amendment to the pension bill that would have stopped the cost shift to local districts. Then the next day, Madigan essentially gives Bost what he wants when he hands sponsorship of the bill to Cross. But, of course, Cross didn’t have the votes, so he didn’t even call the amended bill. And I don’t know this for sure, but given the fact Cross had fewer than 30 “yes” votes in his caucus, I suspect Bost would have been one of the GOP downstate “no” votes on the bill because of the large number of SIU and prison employees in his district.

So Bost’s tantrum was essentially over a set of rules he voted for and over the blocking of an amendment to a bill that he might not have voted for anyway. Right?

Comment by Tom Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 9:48 am
“These damn bills…

“I feel like I’m trying to be released from Egypt. Let my people go!”

Can’t make that up.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 9:58 am
Oswego: I said I like the hate rants. Don’t denigrate yourself now by trying to say you offer some level of rationale discourse or constructive criticism. You hate Cross and you rant. It’s entertaining. That’s your schtick.

Comment by Easy Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 10:06 am
Hey, what’s the Republican strategy in Illinois for achieving a legislative majority? Is that something they’re even interested in doing?

Comment by lincoln's beard Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 10:13 am
A barnburner of a rant by Bill Black was a thing of beauty to behold, because he used true facts, history, and clear logic to make his case. I doubt it was ever rehearsed, even when he ranted primarily for show. He also often then walked to the other side of the aisle to make sure that opponents knew he respected their positions. When he attacked, despite the shrill noise, I listened carefully.

Bost has some way to go yet,though I liked the paper-throwing bit.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 10:15 am
- Easy -

I guess you don’t read ALL that I post, you do not understand mocking, or that fact-based comedy can be even more biting than a punch-line joke.

If that type of “comedy” seems like a rant, factless and baselss, or is over your head, than I can’t help you.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 10:15 am
This is madness…

This is Springfield…

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 10:18 am
Anon 10:15 was me. Pesky laptop!

Comment by mark walker Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 10:19 am
Bost was funny but nothing compared to Jack Knuppel back in the day.

Comment by Stones Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 10:30 am
Rich - did the folks at Blueroomstream.com give you the Noland video that you requested? I’ve been waiting to see that.

Comment by Foxfire Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 10:47 am
It seems the HGOP members schtick is to be the nay-sayers. They beat the anti-Chicago, anti-Madigan drums in their home districts and unfortunately, it plays well to a majority of their constituents. Their schtick would never work if they actually had some kind of power. Hence, they seem comfortable in the role of the unhappy minority.

Comment by Endangered Moderate Species Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 10:55 am
Thunder:

Its obvious where you stand

Against juvenile theatrics?

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 11:04 am
Bost was interviewed by WGN who pointedly asked him about voting for those rules. His response was he voted for them once when he was a freshman in the House and has been voting against them ever since.

The sword cuts both ways: Before Madigan passed the bill off, plenty of Democrats were willing to vote for it. When Madison indicated he would not vote for it, they all melted away.

Conclusion around here: That was the sole fault of the GOP!

If that isn’t tin hat logic, I don’t know what is!

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 11:48 am
This is what I believe to be the third thread on CapFax about the Bost outburst. As I said before, and say again, his message about the screwed up process, no matter who implemented the rules, has been lost among the din.

Comment by Cincinnatus Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 11:48 am
I can’t get the HeyLovellie to play. It says unavailable. Anyone else?

Comment by fan of Bost X Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 2:45 pm
Bost reminds me more of Ron Stephens than Bill Black. Stephens loved to do regular anti-Madigan rants. Mr. DUI was the best at attacking Democrats for their alleged ethical shortcomings.

Comment by reformer Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 3:19 pm
Rep Acevedo calling for decorum. Yeah he might want to look up the whole pot calling the kettle tale.

Comment by Fed up Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 6:58 pm
He was still the most entertaining guy in the GA session this year

Comment by park Wednesday, Jun 6, 12 @ 8:58 pm